Wide Range Achievement Test Wide Range Achievement Word Reading Subtest 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following BEST describes the role of phonological awareness in WRAT Word Reading performance?
- It has no relationship to word reading scores
- Strong phonological awareness supports better decoding of unfamiliar words (Correct answer)
- Phonological awareness only affects spelling, not reading
- It is more important than visual processing for word reading
Correct answer: Strong phonological awareness supports better decoding of unfamiliar words
Phonological awareness—the ability to manipulate sounds in words—is a foundational skill that enables readers to decode unfamiliar words, directly supporting WRAT Word Reading performance.
Question 2: A student reads the word 'yacht' as 'yatcht.' How should the examiner record this response?
- Correct, because the student attempted the word
- Incorrect, because the pronunciation does not match the target word (Correct answer)
- Correct, because phonetic attempts are accepted
- Partially correct, worth half credit
Correct answer: Incorrect, because the pronunciation does not match the target word
WRAT scoring is dichotomous—a response is either correct or incorrect—and 'yatcht' is not the correct pronunciation of 'yacht.'
Question 3: On the WRAT5, standard scores are computed with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of how many points?
- 5
- 10
- 15 (Correct answer)
- 20
Correct answer: 15
Like most standardized cognitive and achievement tests, WRAT5 standard scores use a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15.
Question 4: Which instructional approach would MOST directly target the skills measured by the WRAT Word Reading subtest?
- Sustained silent reading programs
- Systematic phonics and decoding instruction (Correct answer)
- Oral language enrichment activities
- Listening comprehension lessons
Correct answer: Systematic phonics and decoding instruction
Since the WRAT Word Reading subtest measures decoding of isolated words, systematic phonics instruction directly targets the underlying skills assessed.
Question 5: A 10-year-old earns a WRAT Word Reading standard score of 115. Which statement is MOST accurate?
- The student reads significantly below grade level
- The student's word reading is above average for their age (Correct answer)
- The student has a reading disability
- The student reads exactly at grade level
Correct answer: The student's word reading is above average for their age
A standard score of 115 is one standard deviation above the mean of 100, placing the student in the above-average range for their age.
Question 6: What is the recommended age range for administration of the WRAT5 Word Reading subtest?
- Ages 2–8 only
- Ages 5–85+ (Correct answer)
- Ages 12–18 only
- Ages 6–12 only
Correct answer: Ages 5–85+
The WRAT5 is designed for individuals ages 5 through 85 and older, making it useful across the lifespan.
Question 7: In the context of the WRAT Word Reading subtest, what does a 'basal' refer to?
- The highest score a student can achieve
- The starting point established by a set of correct responses (Correct answer)
- The point at which testing is discontinued
- The average score for the normative sample
Correct answer: The starting point established by a set of correct responses
A basal is the established starting point where a student demonstrates sufficient mastery, ensuring all easier items below that point would have been correct.
Wide Range Achievement Test Wide Range Achievement Word Reading Subtest 3
Which of the following BEST describes the role of phonological awareness in WRAT Word Reading performance?